Mardiana Ika, Said Mahrouf, Votum.

Indonesia Fashion Week (IFW) has arrived with casual and cutting edge work from renowned local and foreign designers.

The four-day event started on Thursday with ethnic-tinged daily wear from five designers '€” Ali Charisma, Votum, Mardiana Ika, Japanese Steven Tach and Moroccan Said Mahrouf.

Tach opened the night with his '€œNature'€ collection that was dominated with casual outfits.
His collections show how sweatshirts and sweatpants can look fashionable but still very comfortable to wear.

The grey, loose tops and tight layered sweatpants looked perfectly stylish when combined with high heels.

A predominantly-black sweater with a scarf accent looked elegant with Capri pants and high heels.
Tach also presented his minimalist style with monochrome leather jackets and white knee-length coats that will make women feel warm on cold days and classy at the same time.

The second performer was from Votum that colored the hall with its flowery and bright-colored pieces. Orange and yellow colors came with different styles, from a cheongsam-style Chinese neckline dress, a one-shoulder sheath dress and a halter neck dress.

Votum collections also featured accessories made from beads and crystal that could give the impression of a belt and a necklace on the dresses.

The designs of Hong Kong-based Indonesian designer Mardiana Ika came third, presenting her '€œOde to Autumn'€ collection. She collaborated with Bandung'€™s Tegep Boots to complement her edgy designs.

The first model appeared on the runway in a reddish dress with wood-like decoration stuffed on the shoulders combined with thigh-high boots and sunglasses.

Models walked down the runway with oversized hats, chef-like hats, gold and silvery outfits, snake-leather pants and jackets, gloves and cropped jackets.

Softer cuts were also showcased in the parade when models presented mermaid lace gowns that were combined with sheer materials. In her autumn/winter 2014 collection, Mardiana wants to bring out her fun, carefree and loving side.

She uses faux leather in many pieces of her collection along with satin, printed jerseys, velvet and chiffon.
The fourth performance was from Mahrouf with his ready-to-wear collection that was dominated with working outfits for urban women.
Slim-fit grey blazers, blouses, pencil pants and skirts were presented on the runway.

Several outfits were made as if to cover the body by simply wrapping and tying some parts.The last performer, Ali Charisma, presented his 2014 fall/winter collection, '€œLush Haze'€.

For his collection, Ali played with patterned blue and black fabrics that were turned into cropped tops and jackets.

He also offered cloaks in several designs, from black cloak to cover a silver swimming suit, a waist-long brown cloak to a full-body long robe to cover the front of the body and ends on the back.

When the audience thought the show was over, 20 models reappeared on the stage simultaneously and made a formation to present different pieces.

Lining up together with Ali, they closed the first night of the IFW. Earlier in the day, 10 young designers who participated in the Indonesia Fashion Design Competition, whose winner will participate in Hong Kong Fashion Week, presented their ready-to-work collections.

More fashion parades were showcased on the first day, featuring collections of Indonesian traditional fabric from, among others, Paramparaa, Java Batik, Roemah Kebaya and Romantic Cotton.

The third edition of IFW, organized by Indonesian Fashion Designers Association (APPMI) features a total of 550 brands and hosts 20 fashion shows from 150 local and international designers.

It also heralded a collective move of five local brands '€” Tex Saverio, Major Minor, Toton, Yosafat Dwi Kurniawan and Vinora '€” that will venture to the Paris Fashion Week at the end of this month. A glimpse of their collection featured a day before the event kicked off.

Under Fashion Forward program, the Jakarta Fashion Week '€”the pioneer in the country'€™s fashion week events '€” has trained the designers to make ready-to-wear niche for European market.

On Friday, Muslim wear highlighted the shows, featuring collections of Itang Yunasz, Dian Pelangi, and Shafira boutique.

Today, fashion shows from, among others, APPMI new members, Lenny Agustin, Argentinian designer Gabriel Lage and Priyo Oktaviano Couture will be presented.
The runway will highlight urban contemporary designs and collections for men on Sunday.

Photos by Wendra Ajistyatama

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